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"Anything can happen, there is luck involved and a whole lot of other factors that need to come together. The stars need to align to win and that is what makes it fun.

"It is also why we get a bit nervous before a race."? Bond and Murray share in the ownership of Aoteorower with Mahe Drysdale, Nathan Cohen, Joseph Sullivan and racing royalty Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, along with the Social Racing Syndicate put together to make racing more accessible to new owners.

The mare has won two of her 14 starts but has also placed six times and was a last-start winner at Matamata.

"It is great fun and a nice distraction away from the lake," says Murray. "I have had a bit to do with horses, my wife loves them and has ridden all her life. They really are magnificent athletes when you see them up close."

Today's Ellerslie meeting caps Auckland Cup week, with the $500,000 Cup moved from its previous Wednesday date which Auckland Racing Club boss Cameron George says "gives the race back to Aucklanders."? The carnival used to entail three days at Ellerslie but has been compressed to two.

"The Cup being on a Wednesday got great corporate support but made it hard for a lot of Aucklanders to get to the races because of work," said George. "But now it is on a Saturday more people can make it and with a massive race card and the Prix De Fashion on Saturday it is going to be a very special occasion.